Pod of Orca in the icy Ross Sea

Scientists on a Antarctic research mission have received some welcome visitors alongside their vessel - a pod of orca. The pod were captured on camera frolicking in the icy Ross Sea by scientists onboard the NIWA research vessel RV Tangaroa. "Although they’re not a focus of the voyage, which is checking on the health of the ecosystems that support the oceans top predators – blue whales and humpbacks – the crew were thrilled to see these healthy looking specimens coming to check on the boat," NIWA photographer Dave Allen said. The six-week voyage, which has been more than a year in the planning, also involves continuous measurements of the ocean and atmosphere which will provide scientists with new data to feed into global models. This will help models improve weather forecasting and better understand the effects of climate change in the Southern Ocean. Footage: Niwa.co.nz